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“So, Chandler, have you decided to give up and give me the Delaney client?”
I glare at Damien. “Now is not the time for business. The only reason you are still here is because Victoria invited you.”
I’ve done my best all night to ignore him, and if he starts something now, I don’t know how I’m going to be able to handle it. He looks like he’s about to say something, but Mom interrupts him.
“Here you go, sweetie!”
We all turn to watch Sophia open the gifts my parents brought her, and I see Josh out of the corner of my eye, sneaking off down the hall. I’m distracted as I watch the way he just went. It’s in the same direction Tanya went, and the fact that he didn’t say anything and seemingly didn’t want anyone to know, makes me nervous.
It takes ten minutes for them both to emerge from the hallway. Josh looks angry and Tanya looks pale. I get up and rush over to them as Josh puts on a happy fake smile.
“Hey, man. Congrats on the new baby, and I guess on the first one too.”
He slaps me on the back and walks past me, too quickly for me to say anything. I turn to Tanya, and she avoids my eyes.
“What did he say to you?”
“Nothing, we just ran into each other at the door of the bathroom.”
“Then why are you so pale?”
I cup her face in my hands, and she smiles at me as she takes hold of my wrists.
“I’m fine; just tired and the headache. Don’t worry; let’s go back out there.”
She kisses my palm and walks past me as well. I follow behind her and keep an eye on her the rest of the night. Something is off with her, but I don’t know what it is, and I don’t want to make her uncomfortable in front of everyone.
I will find out what Josh said to her, though. I know he said something.
19
TANYA
I woke up this morning with a headache, and it’s only gotten worse as the day has gone on. I figured it was just stress from waiting for the dinner to start—for the group of people I don’t remember to show up and start reminiscing about time I have no memory of.
But as everyone arrived, and I started to relax around them, it didn’t ease up any. It’s a constant throbbing pain in my temples. Once everyone moves to the living room after dinner, I take the opportunity to sneak off. I just need a moment to breathe. I’ve been having these flashes all night. Images of the people that are in the apartment, but in situations that I’m not sure are real or not.
I saw an image of Chandler’s dad and I sitting in the kitchen, talking about something over coffee. An image of his mother and I sitting together in the living together next to a tree decorated in lights.
I get to the guest bathroom and quickly close myself away. I lean against the sink and try breathing through the dizziness that is now taking over.
I know what is happening. It’s obvious what this is. I’m getting my memories back. There are still things that I can’t remember, but moments of my past are coming back. I can’t help but wonder if all of them are eventually going to come back or if this is how it’s going to be for the rest of my life. Flashes of moments from my past that I will never fully remember.
The dizzy spell passes, and I stand up straight, making sure I look okay before going back out there where I know I will be watched closely by everyone. I fix a few pieces of my hair that are trying to escape the low bun I have it in, take one more deep breath, and exit the bathroom.
I stop just inside the doorway when I catch sight of Josh leaning against the wall across the way. Something about him makes me nervous. Ever since he got here tonight, I’ve been on edge.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know anyone was waiting to get in.”
I don’t want to be near him, but I have to move out of the doorway for him to enter the bathroom. I move to the side so he can walk in, and then I can walk down the hall, but he doesn’t move from his spot.
“What game are you playing here, Tanya?”
I tilt my head to the side, not sure what he is talking about.
“What do you mean? I’m not playing any games?”
I hate that it comes out sounding like a question, but I’m so confused by what he said.
